Elastin-like polypeptide Elastin-like peptides (ELPs) are a fascinating class of synthetic biopolymers designed to mimic the behavior and structure of natural elastin, the protein responsible for elasticity in tissues作者：D Jiang·2023·被引用次数：14—This paper briefly summarizes the application and challenges of ELPs in tumor treatment, tissue engineering, and ocular delivery.. These engineered peptides, often characterized by repetitive amino acid sequences, are gaining significant attention for their unique stimulus-responsive properties and broad applicability, particularly in the biomedical field. Researchers are exploring their potential in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and even as models for intrinsically disordered proteins.
At their core, elastin-like polypeptides are derived from the recurring hydrophobic motifs found in tropoelastin, the precursor to elastin.作者：J Despanie·2015·被引用次数：200—Elastin-like polypeptides(ELPs) are an artificial, biomimetic class of protein polymers inspired by the recurring hydrophobic motifs of tropoelastin[34]. Due ... The most common repeat unit is a pentapeptide sequence, such as Val-Pro-Gly-Xaa-Gly, where 'Xaa' can be any amino acidElastin‐like polypeptides as models of intrinsically disordered proteins. This repetitive structure is key to their distinctive characteristics.作者：AK Varanko·2020·被引用次数：307—Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) arestimulus-responsive biopolymers derived from human elastin. Their unique properties—including lower ... Unlike natural elastin, which is difficult to isolate and work with, ELPs can be genetically engineered or synthesized, offering greater control over their properties and enabling a wide range of applications.
The defining feature of many ELPs is their stimulus-responsiveness, most notably their thermal responsiveness. This means their physical state changes predictably in response to temperature fluctuations. A critical property is their lower critical solution temperature (LCST). Below their LCST, ELPs are soluble in aqueous solutions. However, upon heating above this temperature, they undergo a reversible phase transition, becoming insoluble and aggregating. This property is fundamental to their use in applications like drug delivery, where controlled release can be triggered by temperature changes.Elastin-Like Polypeptides for Biomedical Applications
Beyond thermal responses, ELPs can also be engineered to respond to other stimuli, such as pH or specific biomolecules. Their ability to self-assemble into various nanostructures, like micelles or hydrogels, further enhances their versatility.
The unique properties of ELPs have spurred extensive research into their potential applications across various scientific and medical domains.
The biocompatibility and the ability to engineer ELPs for specific functions make them highly attractive for biomedical uses.
* Drug Delivery Systems: The thermally responsive nature of ELPs is particularly valuable for targeted drug delivery. Drugs can be conjugated to ELPs. Below the LCST, the ELP-drug conjugate remains soluble, allowing for systemic administrationElastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) aregenetically engineered repetitive synthetic polypeptidesthat are composed mainly of tandem pentapeptide repeats.. Upon reaching a target site (e.2026年1月5日—“The P-Tiox serum utilizestwo key peptides that relax muscle contractionsto help with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as ...g., a tumor, which is often slightly warmer), the temperature increase above the LCST causes the ELP to aggregate, releasing the drug locally.作者：AK Varanko·2020·被引用次数：307—Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) arestimulus-responsive biopolymers derived from human elastin. Their unique properties—including lower ... This targeted approach can enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic side effects. ELP-based micelles, assembled from amphiphilic ELP diblock copolymers, are a promising platform for such delivery systems, offering uniform and well-defined nanoparticles.
* Tissue Engineering: ELPs can serve as scaffolds for tissue regeneration. Their ability to form hydrogels, combined with their biomimetic nature, makes them suitable for supporting cell growth and tissue developmentElastin-Like Polypeptides for Biomedical Applications. Researchers are investigating their use in creating artificial tissues and organs, leveraging their inherent biocompatibility and tunable mechanical properties.
* Cancer Therapy: Beyond drug delivery, ELPs are being explored for direct therapeutic roles in cancer treatment. Their ability to accumulate in tumor tissues (a phenomenon known as the enhanced permeability and retention effect) and their potential to carry imaging agents or therapeutic payloads make them versatile tools in oncology.
* Ocular Delivery: ELPs are also being investigated for delivery applications in the eye, a highly sensitive and regulated biological environment.作者：A Jiang·2023·被引用次数：15—Elastin-like polypeptides(ELPs) are syntheticpeptidesderived from a precursor ofelastin(tropoelastin), reservingsimilarstructural and physicochemical ...
The self-assembling capabilities of ELPs extend their utility into the realm of nanomaterialsElastin-like polypeptides revolutionize recombinant protein .... They can be engineered to form nanoparticles, micelles, and other structures with potential applications in diagnostics, biosensing, and materials science. Their inherent biocompatibility and the possibility of functionalizing them with specific targeting moieties open doors for advanced material design.Elastin-like Polypeptides in Development of Nanomaterials for ... - Frontiers
Moreover, ELPs serve as valuable models for intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs)Elastin-like polypeptides. These proteins, lacking a stable three-dimensional structure, play crucial roles in cellular processes. Studying ELPs, which share characteristics with IDPs, provides insights into the behavior and function of these complex biological molecules.Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) are a type of synthesized biopolymers, which have become an area of interest for their potentially practical benefits. They are ...
Despite the immense promise of elastin-like peptides, challenges remain. Optimizing their synthesis and purification, fine-tuning their responsiveness for specific applications, and ensuring long-term stability and efficacy in vivo are ongoing areas of research. Understanding the complex structure-property relationships of ELPs is crucial for their rational design.作者：F Aladini·2016·被引用次数：41—Elastin-like polypeptides(ELPs) composed of repetitive pentapeptides (Val-Pro-Gly-Xaa-Gly) can mimic the phase transition behavior of ...
Future research will likely focus on further expanding the stimuli-responsiveness of ELPs, developing more sophisticated delivery platforms, and translating these engineered peptides into clinical applicationsElastin-like polypeptides. The ongoing exploration of their potential in areas like metal recovery and their role as biomimetic materials suggests that ELPs will continue to be a vibrant area of scientific inquiry.
In conclusion, elastin-like peptides represent a powerful class of engineered biopolymers that bridge the gap between synthetic chemistry and biology. Their ability to mimic natural elastin while offering tunable, stimulus-responsive properties positions them as key players in the development of next-generation therapeutics, advanced biomaterials, and fundamental biological research.
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